Forever on the scene, BTSB celebrates Finland's ninetieth Independence Day, 6 December 2007. Forget what you know about Finland having the highest ranked education system in the world. Forget that Finland is continuously ranked as one of the top five business markets in the world. Forget that it was the only USSR border country that didn’t let those commies come walking in. Forget their free schooling and their free healthcare. All those things are nice, but don’t be misled. I’m here to tell you the really great thing about Finland.

But to start, we’ll need to know two things. First, let’s introduce the country itself. If you don’t know what Finland is like, just think of Sweden without all the annoying Swedish shit. Second, let’s talk about the people. Finnish people are like Swedish people without all the Swedish shit. There, that should do. Now let’s cut to the chase.

So what’s Finland’s best part? Answer: Its worst part. And the whole world should learn from it. Allow me to explain.

You’re talking to a Finn. You ask them what Finland is like. They answer with the exact same question. And if they start the conversation, they’ll ask you first. That’s it.

You see, Finns are so preoccupied with what other people think of Finland that they have no time to talk or hear about how great it is. They really, honestly care if Finland is enjoyable to its visitors. And that is a beautiful thing. How wonderful would the world be if we all just wished our home could be better for others?

Therein, however, also lays the problem. This concern comes up in conversation so often that it’s a national epidemic. Trust me. But it’s also a problem for us outsiders too. We don’t want Finns to start acting like the Americans or the Irish blabbering about their wee, feckin’ island being the leader of the free world, do we? I think not. So, remember, don’t let the Finns know anything about this. I mean, I doubt they’ll go acting like the rest of us, but it’s not worth the risk.

So, Finland, here’s to being so well off after ninety years that you’re only left to worry about the rest of us. I’ve got no idea what you’re going to do for the next ninety.

[tags]Finland, Independence, Day, December[/tags]